Apologies have been received from Deputy Jan O'Sullivan and Senators Maria Byrne, Paul Gavan and Lynn Ruane.
I formally welcome Deputy Hildegarde Naughton to the joint committee. She replaces the recently appointed Minister, Deputy Josepha Madigan, whom I thank for her contribution to the work of the committee. She was only here for a short time when she was called to greater things. There has been a pattern at this committee. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, was also a member before being called to greater things. That might herald good things for Deputy Hildegarde Naughton in the future.
We will go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters.